Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-09-10
Re;oinder or"senatus."


ReiOinder OF" seuatus."
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
In my communication to your journal
of the Sth instant | simply endeavored
to give a calm, dispassionate statement
of the views entertained by Reformers,
as well as by many straightout Demo
Gratis, as to the prejudicial effects to the
Democratic party growing out OF the
continued existence of the organization
known as the Law and Order League
in this city.
stated that there existed serious di-
visions in the Democratic ranks "grOw
ing chiefly ont of the fact that there
are two political organizations here,
one Of which is known as the Reform
party and the other as the Law AMI
order League -; and ] stated, more-
over, that sit is charged by a p0rjon
Of the lahoring classes that the latter
VAS perpetuated for the purpose
Of antagonizing them and their
interests" From this view it will be
remembered that | dissented. But as
this opinion extensively prevailed,
whether correct or not, and feeling
assured that it was initiating seriously
against the interest of the Democratic
party, / respectfully suggested to the
Law and Order League that their dis
solution, in the judgment of many
Democrats, would redouAd to the lutte
rest Of the party.
This morning there appeared in YOU
columns reply to my communication
signed Democrat "
"Democrat starts ont by saying
that che could not conceive why he o.
did not suggest as an alternative the
disb0nding Of the Reform party since
be On insists that it is the existence Of
the two organizations which endlngers
The success of the Democratic party. y
My reason must have been apparent, |
think. to all who desired to see it. 1t
vas that the Reform party is composed
chiefly of Republicans, and it is hardly
reasonable 10 suppose that they would
heed the suggestion OF Democrat IN
matter calculated to advance The in
tcrests of the Democratic party.
Democrat next asserts that the
Law and Order League is not pOiti-
c0i organization. and assigns rs proof
OF IL that it has upon its rolls Demo
Gratis, Republicans, and worllingmen.
1t is unquestionably true that all three
Of these elements are to be found in the
Law and Order League; but | am
crcdibly informed that the Republicans
compose a very Insignificant faction Of
the Ahole. The working classes are
Doubtless largely represented IN this
order. Now all this, it is true, goes to
prove that in the fullest sense of the
term it is not a political organiza-
ton; but / suppose it will be
and is conceded that the organization
was formed in opposition to the order
of the Knights of Labor, and to some,
at least, of the purposes Of their organ
ization. The Knights of Labor, to
some extent, Mt least, have become a po-
lNical organization, but, not having
sufficient strength to effect their po-
litical and other purposes, many
of them have united with the Re
form party. Others have united
with this party for the alleged
reason that the Law and Order
League antagoDizes their interests and
hol6s its power constantly in terror3m
over them. This, do not believe. But
what am endeavoring to show now IS,
that. jnasmuch as the Law and Order
League perpetuates its organization for
the purpose of at least keeping in cheek
an organization which is certainly to
some extent political one, it thereby,
in a certain sense, becomes pOlltlcd!
organization itself But this point, IN
my Judgment, is not a very material
one. In any event, it is not necessary
in order to establish the fact that the
continued existence OF the order is
proving preiudicial to the Democratic
partv because OF the belief that exists
among portion OF the working classes
that II is an enemy to their interests.
Democrat says that the Reform
party was organized and had carried
the municipal election long before the
league was even thought Of" He then
asks, "Did the organization OF the
league perpetuate the reform ?" This
| be denies
In reply, let me call attention to the
condition of parties in this city last fall.
II is well known that up to about week
before the congressional election a
large majority Of the Knights of Labor
supported MIR. Mullen for Congress-
But the course of the Republican party
| towaIdsthem was, in their estimation, SC
| unjust and offensive that they deter
mined almost TO man to transfer theiI
support to the Hon. George ID. Wise,
| and thus, in all human probability, was
his election secured. Now they allege
that but for the legal prosecu.
tons number OF them were sub
iected to after the election, through
the influence Of the league and Of the
continued existence Of this order, that
but few, il any OF them, would have re-
united with the Reform party.
AS said in my first communication,
they are not, in my judgment, justified
in 80 doing, and l trust that they will
renew their allegiance to the Demo,
cratic party IS being the only one they
can rely upon to assert and maintain
their rights as laboring men and as clt-
izens OF asouthern State and OF con-
mon country.
1t is alleged by "Democrat thai
boycostiDg in some OF its forms still
exists, and hence the necessity for the
continuance OF the organization known
as the league. respectfully suggest
that IL there exist af any tima a nasas-